Inflating valve for hollow articles



Oct 23, 1945. B. A; MCDERMQTT l I 2,387,455

INFLATING VALVE FOR HOLLOW ARTICLES Filed July 1e, 1945 HV//l f 5b 'a7 INVENTOR. 30% 38 Bevncw H. WCDEWM'Ir through the valve in known manner.

Patented Oct. 23, 1945 INFLATING VALVE FOR HOLLOW ARTICLESv Bernard A. McDermott, Akron, Ohio, assignor to The Sun Rubber Company, Barberton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application July 1s, 1945, serial No. 605,205

15` Claims.

This invention relates to inflation valves for athletic balls such as basketballs, volleyballs, footballs, or for other hollow inflatable articles.

In the past there have been provided satisfactory inflation valves for` athletic' balls, including a hollow stem portion having therein a filler of self-sealing material and a releasable cap for retaining the filler in the stem, the balls being inflatable by means of an inflation needle inserted Certain difficulties, however, have arisen with respect to such valves. For example, it has been foundpar- Vticularly in the manufacturing processes that frequently an excess amount or non-uniform placement of the self-sealing material in the valve stem will prevent secure seating of the releasable cap. It has also been found that occasionally when a ball is being inflated to a relatively high pressure for certain purposes, that if `the inflation needle is for some reasonnot completely inserted through the valvewhen pressure is applied the inner end of the valve stem may be blown off, which of lcourse results in the article being irreparably damaged.

A general object of this invention is to provide an inflation valve ofthe character described in which the above difilculties are overcome, and at the same time providing a valve construction which is relatively simple to assemble in produc tion or otherwise.

- Another object of the invention is to provide a valve of the character described having means incorporated therein for preventing an inflation needle inserted therethrough from pushing the self-sealing material from the valve into the interior of the inflatable article, and thereby preventing depleton of the supply of said material. Another object of the invention is to provide in a valve of the character described in which the assembly of the self-sealing device thereof is greatly facilitated. 'Still another object of the invention is to prolvide a` valve construction of the character described" having improved means to facilitate proper insertion of an` inflation needle therethrough. f

Other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following brief description and the accompanying drawing. l

l Oi' the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a fragmentary cross-section through Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, on av larger scale, illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, the numeral IIJ designates anA inilating valve incorporated in a hollow, fabric reinforced athletic ball II. The ball illustrated includes a rubber bladder I2, a casing I3 -comprising three layers of rubberized fabric, and an outer abrasion-resisting cover I4 of rubber or leather, all bonded or vulcanized together in known manner.

The valve I0 may be formed of vulcanized rubber to provide a relatively large and relatively thin, tapered 'base portion I5, of circular or orvate shape, and from which extends an integral hollow stem I6. The inner surface of the base I5 is` preferably cured to the outer surface of bladder I2, before casing I3 has been applied thereto, with the stem I8 extended inwardly of the ball through an aperture I'I in the bladder. The cavity I8 of the stem is formed with a cylindrical portion I9 and an inwardly tapered portion 20, for snugly receiving a similarly tapered self-sealing plug or insert 2| (see Figure 1). An aperture 22, slightly smaller in diameter than cylindrical portion I9, is provided in the outer portion of the valve for insertion of plug 2l and to provide an annular shoulder 23 for engagement by the outer edge of the plug when received in cavity I8. 'Ihe ball casing I3 and cover I4 are provided with apertures corresponding to aperture 22 in the valve stem. A small inflation needle receiving aperture Ita is provided at the inner end of stem I6 in alignment with aperture 22 thereof.

The plug 2| may comprise a casing of rubber or like resilient material having a self-sealing device therein, the casing being provided with an aperture 24 of substantially the same diameter as aperture 22 of the valve stem, to provide an annular shoulder 26. Inwardly spaced from shoulder 26 is a tapered annular rib 2l providing a shoulder 2,8. As best shown in Figure 2, the self-sealing device may be provided'by the inner or tapered end of the plug casing being lled' with a gob or filler 30 of non-vulcanizable raw a valveembodying the invention incorporated in l an inflatable athletic ball.

f Figure 2 is an explosion view of the same, on 5 an enlarged scale.

tion 29 between shoulder 26 and rib 21. The'rib l 21 serves toanchor the filler 30 in position in the plug. f' l lA relatively thin conical or concave-convex washer or insert `Zila of-metal or similar stiif mamaterial maybe cemented in place.

terial may be provided at: the tapered end of the cavity. The tapered lend of washer 20a is apertured at 20h to correspond to the needle aperture |6a of stem I6. Although the needle apertures in the rubber parts of the valve herein may be slightly smaller in diameter than the inflation needle, aperture 2Gb is of diameter proximating the diameter of the standard inflation needle so that as the latter is pierced inwardly through -the valve it willbe subjected to a wiping action by the edge of the aperture 20h, which effectively prevents the self-sealing material 30 from being pushed out of the valve through expandible stem aperture |6a, into the interior of the ball with successive insertions of said needle, which might otherwise fully deplete the sealant from the valve. For securing the washer 20a in position in the stem |6 the tapered end of the cavity thereof may be recessed as shown to provide an annular shoulder 20c for yielding engagement by the annular outer edge of the washer (see Figure 2).

If necessary, to provide an effective pressurefluid seal between the self-sealing material 30 and the inner wall surface of the plug the self-sealing The plug similarly may be cemented in place to insure against leakage of pressure-fluid from the ball.

For removably and replaceably retaining or sealing the self-sealing material 30 in plug 2|, there may be provided a cap 32 of rubber or other suitable material. This cap is provided with an enlarged part 33 snugly receivable in cavity por-v tion 29 of the plug, and a reduced part 34 for fitting in the aperture 22 of the valve stem and the corresponding apertures of casing |3 and cover Thus the cap is adapted to be firmly but releasably secured in position by lockingengagement of enlarged lpart 33 in cylindrical recess 29, between the shoulder 26 and rib 2'| or the surface of the filler 30. As the enlarged part 33 of the valve aperture 22 the cap is readily vinsertable or removable from the valve. The plug 2| is similarly insertable or removable.

The cap 32 is provided with a small aperture 32a therethrough, to be in alignment with the aperture IGa in the valve stem (see r Figure 2), so that an inflation needle of known type attached to a source of pressure-fluid supply is insertable through the cap, plug 2| and theself-sealing material therein, the washer aperture 20h and the stem aperture |6a, the needle of course puncturing the tapered end of plug 2| the first time it is pierced, the wall of the plug being made relatively thin for that purpose. If desired a small aperplug 2| so that the valve will not thereby be l damaged.

'cap 32 is only slightly greater in diameter than f turey may be provided in the tapered end of the plug when it is manufactured.l The tapered construction of the plug, washer and valve stem cavity will materially aid in correctly guiding the infiation needle to the stem aperture |6a. The cap 32 also may be cemented in place if desired.

In assembling the valve parts, particularly during the manufacturing process, the plug 2| with the ller material 30 therein may first be inserted in valve stem cavity I8 and the sealing and retaining cap 32 thereafter applied as previously described, or the plug may be inserted in the cavity, after which the gob or filler 4of selfsealing material 30 is inserted in the plug and the cap 32 applied as before,` or the plug, sealing material, and cap, assembled as a unit, may be forced into position in the valve. Insertion of the plug and cap as a unit is particularly desirable in the manufacturing assembly of athletic balls, because faulty units may be rejected before they can be In the use of the above described valve in a hollow athletic ball (Figure 1) for inflating the same, the needle of an inflating device is pierced through aperture 32a of cap 32, through plug 2| and the self -sealing material 30 therein, and aperture |6a of valve stem I6, to project an apertured end of the needle freely into the ball interior. The needle is similarly inserted for deflating purposes. When the needle is withdrawn from the valve the puncture made through the filler 30 will be immediately self-sealed due to the nature of the material thereof. Washer 20a effectively prevents depletion of the sealant 30 in the manner previously described.

Should the filler 30 lose its self-sealing properties after repeated insertions of inflation needles through the valve the cap 32 may be readily removed by means of a pointed instrument inserted in aperture 32a thereof, after which a new filler 30 may be inserted in the plug 2|, or the plug itself may be replaced with a new one, or a complete new plug and cap unit may be assembled in the valve stem. Should new Valve parts not be 'available, a quick repair is possible by filling the plug 2| with rubber cement or other handy self-sealing material and replacing the cap 32.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a modified form of inating valve incorporated in a hollow athletic ball. This valve is the same in substantially all respects to that illustrated in Figures '1 vand 2, like parts therefore being given like numbers, except that there is provided around the valve stem I6b a cup-shaped casing 38 of metal or other relatively hard material adapted to withstand substantially high inflation pressure applied within `the valve plug 2|, should such pressure bev is provided in casing 38 in cooperation with thel valve stem aperture |6a for receiving an inflation needle therethrough. The aperture 4| may be substantially the same diameter as the inflation needle, to provide a wiping action for preventing loss 0f the self-sealing material to the interior,

of the ball, somewhat in the manner described in connection with Washer or insert 20a. The construction, assembly and use of this form of the l invention is otherwise as previously described.

Other modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A valve for inflatable articles, comprising aV stem having a cavity therein, said stem having apertures at inner and outer ends thereof communicating with said cavity, a self-sealing plug receivable in said cavity through said outer aperture, a cap receivable in said outer aperture, and

interconnecting means on said cap, stern and plug for securing the cap and plug in the stem.

, 2. Avalve forinflatable articles, comprising a Vi eating with said cavity, a plug receivable in said stem having a cavity therein, said stem having apertures at inner` and outer ends thereof comb f municating with said cavity, aself-sealing plug i ,l receivable in said cavity through said outer aperture, a cap receivable in said outeraperture, and

`means 'for releasably securing the cap in the stem i retain the plug therein, said plug including a j `casing having therein a filling of self-sealing ma terial. l

3. `A valve for inflatable articles, comprising a stem of rubber or like resilient material and hav- `ingia cavity therein, said stem having apertures at inner and outer ends thereof communicating with i `said cavity, a plug including `a casing of rubber orlike resilient material receivable in said cavity,

. a capreceivable in said outer aperture, and means for releasably securing said cap in position in said stem, said plug casing having a filling therein of self-sealing material.

4A valve for inflatable articles, comprising a stem having a cavity therein, said stem having apertures at inner and outer ends thereof comand interengaging means on said cap Vand on said i plug for releasably retaining said cap and plug in i position in said stem.

5. A valve for inflatable articles, comprising a i i `stem of relatively hard rubber or like material and i y ,having a cavity therein, said stem having aperltures at inner and outer ends thereof communi- ,i eating with said cavity, a plug of relatively soft self-sealing material receivable in said cavity f `through said outer aperture, a cap receivable in` saidiouter aperture, and,means for releasably` ser 'curing said cap in position in said stem, said d lcavity and `said plug being correspondingly j tapered toward said inner aperture of the'stem for guiding an inating needle through said inner t aperture. ,Y .i

6., A valve for inflatable articles, comprisinga `stem having a cavity therein, said stem having `apertures at inner and outer ends thereof com-` cavity, said plug being adapted to receive an inflating stem and including a self-sealing device, a

.cap receivable in said outer aperture, means for releasably securing said cap and plug in position in said valve stem. and a casing of reinforcing material around` said `stern to resist substantial expansion thereof dueto pressure in said stem cavity.`

9. A valve for inflatable articles comprising a bodyv of rubberor like resilient material and havi ing a cavity therein, a filler of self-sealing maing a cavity therein, a filler of self-sealing material in said cavity, said body having substantially aligned apertures at outer and inner ends thereof for receiving an inflation needle pierced through the valve, and an apertured insert of relatively stiff material in said cavity at the inner end thereof;- the aperture of said insert providing an edge portion for wiping engagement with an inflation needle pierced through the valve.

l1. A valve for inflatable articles comprising a body of rubber or like resilient material and havi ing a cavity therein, a filler of self-sealing mai lgagernent with an ination needle Apierced municating with said cavity, said outer aperture 1 f providing an inwardly presented shoulder in said cavity, a plug receivable insaid ,cavity vwith the outer edge thereof against said shoulder. said plug being adapted to receive an infiating stem there y plug having a recess at the outer end thereofand through the valve.

12. A valve for inflatable articles comprising va body havingl a cavity therein, afiller of self-sealing material Ain said cavity, saidgbody having substantially aligned apertures at outer and inner i, ends. 4thereof for' receiving an inflation needle pierced through the valve, and an apertured in'- sertof relatively stii material in said body adjav 'i cent said inner end, the aperture of said insert through and including a self-sealing device, said providing an annular inwardly presented shoulder,

l anda cap ,receivable insaid outer aperture of the valve stem and provided with an annular meme ben for `engaging said annular shoulder.` of said '1. A valve for` inflatable articles, comprising a stem of rubber or nkeesinent material and havinga cavity therein, said stem having apertures at inner and outer ends thereof communicating with said cavity, a plug receivable in said cavity,

,y `said plug being adapted to" receive an infiating stem therethroughandncluding a self-sealing device, means for releasably securing said plug fin position in said valve stem, and a reinforcing casing` around said stem, said reinforcing casing being of relatively unyielding material adapted i l to resist substantiahexpansion ofvsaid stem due [to pressure in said cavity thereof. Y

8.` A valve for inflatable articles, comprising a stern of rubber or like resilient material and providing anedge'portion for wiping engagement with an inflationv needle pierced through the valve.

y 13." A valve for inflatable articles comprising a bodyl of rubber or like elastic or resilient material i and having a cavity therein, a filler of self-sealing material in said cavity, said body having substantially aligned ,apertures at outer and inner vends thereof for receiving an ination needle therein, 'said insert having an aperture for pas- A sage of the iniiationnedle.

y 14. A valve for infiatable articles, comprising a `stein having a. cavity therein, said.stem having apertures at inner and outer ends thereof communicating with said cavity, a plug 4including a casing receivable in said cavity through sai'd outer relatively stii! materialin said stem adjacent the inner end of said cavity, said insert having an aperture proximating the diameter oi an inflation needle to provide a wiping action thereon upon the same being pierced through the valve.

15. A valve for inilatable articles, comprising a stem having a cavity therein, said stem having apertures at inner and outervends thereof communicating with said' cavity, a plug including a casing receivable in said cavity through said outer aperture, a cap receivable in said outer aperture,

means for releasably securing said cap in position in said stem, said plug casing having a filling v therein of self-sealing material, and a concavo- BERNARD A. MCDERMOT'I. 

